Utah Vegetable Planting Guide

Utah's climate is dry, with cold winters.

When early pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, Utah was a barren desert. An extensive canal system brought water to the area, making farming possible. Today, Utah's warm, dry summers, alkaline soils, and cold winters make gardening somewhat challenging, but not impossible for eager gardeners.

Considerations

Soils in Utah are very alkaline--typically with a pH level between 7.8 and 8.2, according to Utah State University. Although water is relatively inexpensive there, it is a precious commodity, and should be used carefully. Additionally, gardeners along the Wasatch range may face late spring and early fall frosts.

Solutions

Gardeners should send a soil sample from the intended vegetable garden site to a commercial lab or extension office for testing. Adding the recommended amendments, including compost and possibly lime, can improve the texture and moisture conserving qualities of the soil, as well as raise the pH level. Although many gardening guides recommend watering early in the morning, most Utah gardeners water at night. Utah is so dry that diseases from wet foliage are rarely a problem. Watering at night helps keep soil moist.

Time Frame

Utah gardeners generally plant their vegetable gardens after Mother's Day (the second Sunday in May), decreasing the likelihood of late spring frosts. Planting fast-maturing plants or plants adapted to high altitudes ensures that the plants will mature before fall frosts.

References

• Utah State University Extension: Managing Soil pH in Utah
• Utah State University Extension: Planning is the Key to Saving Water in the Garden